The KCK Executive Council co-presidency issued a written statement on the allegations made about the health of Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan on social media.

The KCK statement reads as following:

"Rumours have been raised about Reber Apo's [Abdullah Öcalan] health and life. Therefore, the lawyers immediately requested a meeting in Imrali. Our people everywhere took to the streets and demanded the lawyers and family to be granted a visit in order to get information about Rêber Apo's health. Reports about Rêber Apo are serious and need to be clarified immediately. A negative approach to the health and life of a people's leader means to openly commit a genocidal attack against his people. It is a decision to destroy a people altogether. Undoubtedly, given this negative situation, the attitude of our people and our Freedom Movement will be consequent and there will be an answer to this war.”

The Turkish State, CPT and European Council are responsible for the health and life of Öcalan

The statement adds: “The Turkish state is responsible for the health and life of Rêber Apo. Likewise, international organizations that are responsible of the monitoring of prisoners in Turkey, the CPT and the European Council will also be responsible for any mistreatment and consequent risk to the health and life of our Leader. Rêber Apo warned the Turkish state and relevant institutions that every problem regarding his health and life should be considered as political. At the same time, he emphasized that our people should also consider these institutions responsible.

Family and lawyers should meet Öcalan

The statement continues: “News regarding the health of Öcalan should be taken extremely seriously. Because there are many groups within the state institution and various political forces who are hostile to Rêber Apo. We have a historical responsibility to stand up until a meeting with Rêber Apo is granted and until we learn that he is in good health. Our people, all friends and all democratic forces should stand up and demand definite information about Rêber Apo's health. When it comes to Rêber Apo, no statement is credible: it is absolutely necessary for Rêber Apo and his lawyers and family to meet face to face.

A very hard isolation has been imposed in Imrali for years. This reality is proof of the hostility towards Rêber Apo. This isolation is also an attack on Rêber Apo's health. In Imrali, neither law, nor human rights and the right treatment for political prisoners is shown. There is only one way to overcome this situation. This is to free Rêber Apo.”

Warning to AKP-MHP

The statement ends with the following: "We are warning the AKP-MHP government, which is currently responsible for the health and safety of Rêber Apo: Every negative behaviour towards Rêber Apo brings the struggle to another dimension. It is known how sensitive both our people and our Movement are when it comes to the health, safety and life of our Leader. For this reason, the health and safety situation of Rêber Apo should be clarified in a way that the Kurdish people would believe, without even an hour delay."